Contracts, Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Sovereign Immunity, Ultra Vires

San Antonio Court of Appeals holds governmental immunity bars both suit and liability where the ‘only plausible remedy’ is invalidation of a government contract.

City of San Antonio v. Patrick Von Dohlen, et al., 04-20-00071-CV (Tex. App.—San Antonio Aug. 19, 2020)  This is an interlocutory appeal from the denial of a plea to the jurisdiction and Rule 91a motion to dismiss filed by the City of
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Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Litigation, Procedure, Sovereign Immunity, Structural Standards, Takings

Beaumont Court of Appeals holds pro se Plaintiff did not establish entitlement to injunctive relief to prevent demolition of building

Rema Charles Wolf v. City of Port Arthur, 09-19-00047-CV, (Tex. App – Beaumont, Aug. 6, 2020) This is an interlocutory appeal from the denial of a temporary injunction request by a pro se property owner. Pro se Plaintiff Wolf sued the City
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Contracts, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

Waco Court of Appeals held that a contract for a Water District to provide water services to a customer is not a contract that waives governmental immunity under Chapter 271 of the Local Government Code.

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs Mclennan County Water Control and Improvement Dist. v. Matthew and Rachel Geer, et. al, 10-17-00399-CV (Tex. App.—Waco, July 22, 2020). In this governmental immunity case, the Waco Court of Appeals dismissed the
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Litigation, Sovereign Immunity

Fourth Court of Appeals holds no jurisdiction exists for ex-councilmember to sue after office was declared forfeit for charter violations – quo warranto is exclusive remedy

City of Leon Valley v Martinez, 04-19-00879-CV (Tex. App. — San Antonio, August 19, 2020) This is a suit by an ousted city council member to recover his position. The San Antonino Court of Appeals held the exclusive remedy in this situation
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Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Health and Safety, Sec. 1983, Sovereign Immunity, Takings

Waco Court of Appeals holds an allegation of overzealous code enforcement actions is inadequate to establish a substantive due process violation when regulations are enforceable.

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs House of Praise Ministries, Inc. v. City of Red Oak, Texas, 10-19-00195-CV (Tex. App.—Waco, Aug. 6, 2020). In this substantive due process case, the Waco Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court’s
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Litigation, Sovereign Immunity, TTCA

Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, injury to self by suicide is a foreseeable injury under the motor-vehicle waiver of immunity when officer did not properly fasten a seatbelt of a detainee 

Special contributing author Laura Mueller, City Attorney for Dripping Springs City of Austin  v. Sayeed Anam, et al., 03-19-00294-CV (Tex. App.—Austin, July 30, 2020) (mem. op.). In this Texas Tort Claims Act, the Court of Appeals upheld the trial court’s denial of
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